Tom Dolan forced to withdraw
While sailing in the lead, alongside Loïs Berrehar (Banque Populaire), Tom Dolan (Kingspan) ran aground at 0:16 on the Sein causeway, a few cables from Beg ar C'hale, on the island of Sein.
The skipper initially tried to free his boat from the predicament, but to no avail with the outgoing tide. Assisted by the SNSM (French Sea Rescue Society) from the Île de Sein, Tom deployed his two anchors to try and stabilize his boat so he could maneuver with the incoming tide. Unfortunately, he was unable to escape. After five hours of effort, at 5:40 this morning, the Irish skipper was airlifted by a French Navy helicopter, as the situation had become perilous for him and his boat.
The skipper is doing well and will return to dry land.
The Irishman's race unfortunately ends there and his chances of securing a second victory come to an end in Brittany.
The third leg of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec took a dramatic turn overnight. As the competitors completed their ascent of southern Brittany before reaching the intermediate sprint point, the race scenario shifted dramatically with Tom Dolan's withdrawal. Leading the overall standings and one of the favorites for the final victory, the Irishman was forced to abandon the race, completely reshuffling the cards less than 24 hours from the finish.
This unexpected turn of events opens up new possibilities for the entire fleet and propels Loïs Berrehar (Banque Populaire) to the top of this leg, followed by Hugo Dhallenne on Skipper Macif 2025. In the provisional overall standings after three legs, Nicolas Lunven and Alexis Thomas (Wings of the Ocean) are now locked in a head-to-head battle for a final showdown. Lunven trails the PRB skipper by 21 minutes, while Thomas is currently third in the leg, just a mile ahead of Lunven. Behind this duo, the remaining podium positions will be contested by four sailors: Paul Morvan (Foricher-French Touch), Martin Le Pape (Paprec), Loïs Berrehar (Banque Populaire), and rookie Paul Loiseau (Région Bretagne – CMB Espoir). All of them have a chance of reaching the podium. The final showdown promises to be thrilling.
New Channel
At daybreak, the Figaro Beneteau 3s discovered an English Channel true to its reputation: a grey sea, a low sky, and pervasive humidity that seeped into every part of the boat. After several days of intense effort, fragmented sleep, and incessant maneuvers, their bodies were beginning to feel the strain. In this damp and cold atmosphere, every decision mattered even more.
Having rounded the tip of Brittany, the fleet has now set course for the Eddystone waypoint, off the English coast. This long crossing marks the start of the final phase of the leg, but certainly not the easiest. Weather conditions are expected to gradually worsen throughout the day, with stronger winds and rougher seas, promising another challenging period for the solo sailors. At this stage of the race, the slightest mistake can cost them several places, while a good strategy can dramatically alter the overall standings, which are more open than ever.
With Tom Dolan's withdrawal and Loïs Berrehar's rise to the top, this final leg promises to be more unpredictable than ever. The next few hours could well determine the future winner of the 2026 Solitaire du Figaro Paprec and definitively establish the final podium positions.
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